A British mother of two has revealed how she was referred to Prevent, the government’s counter-extremism programme, due to her support for Israel.
Holly Passmore, 44, from County Durham, an influencer who campaigns against antisemitism, had returned from a press trip to the Jewish state in June, when, three weeks later, two officers from Durham Constabulary arrived at her door, following an anonymous referral to Prevent.
Passmore told the Telegraph: “They said it was a safeguarding matter [and said I] may be at risk of manipulation...They asked me what my links are to Israel, whether I planned on returning to Israel.
"They asked me why I was interested in ‘Jewish issues’ because County Durham it’s not a Jewish area. They even asked me if I’d ever been to Auschwitz, and I said, ‘yes’.”
She continued: “I said to them, ‘Look, I get that this is not something that people around here necessarily are interested in, but you know, this is something that’s important to me, and it is not illegal’.
“I just said that I had Jewish friends. I don’t know why, really, I felt the need to explain myself, but you do in that situation. It’s very intimidating.”
The Telegraph has since seen a police intelligence report, which, in part, said that Passmore “over-identified with the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and was “supportive of Israel to the point that she has travelled to Israel”.
The report also cited mental health issues (which Passmore said she doesn’t have) and said she was “vulnerable to negative influence”.
It also stated that there “is no CT [counter-terror] concern with an individual being supportive of Israel as a democracy and it would not be a CT concern for a person to travel there”.
Passmore filed a complaint after the visit and was paid a second visit by police and a superintendent, who, she recalled, wanted to reassure her they didn’t consider her a threat or an extremist.
A Counter Terrorism Policing North East spokesperson told the Telegraph: “All referrals are treated in the strictest confidence and will always prioritise the safety and welfare of those concerned.
“Where we are notified of concerns for a particular individual, specially trained officers will listen carefully to the concerns and offer any additional support that may be necessary.
“Receiving support is voluntary and may be used to protect someone who is considered vulnerable and to prevent a situation escalating into something more serious.”
Durham Police have been contacted by the JC.
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